New to bow hunting elk

[muleyslayer]

I've hunted deer with a bow and have been lucky enough to harvest 2 bucks in the past seasons. I'm looking to start hunting elk with a bow but I was wondering what kind of broadheads were best for elk. I've heard a lot of stories of wounded elk getting away from hunters and I don't want to be that guy. I own a bear lights out bow that is supposed to shoot 300 fps. I also have always used the easton axis arrow with a thunderhead broadhead. Any tips would be appreciated thank you for your time.

[Todd_ID]

Thunderheads have killed more elk than any of the currently popular blackheads available: maybe more than any head in history. Don't try to fix what's not broke. 

[chukar58]

Any well constructed broadhead that shoots accurately out of your bow will do the job just fine.   Good luck on your next elk hunt.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Most important is getting the arrow in the right spot !!
Watch the animal as long as possible and remember where you lose sight of it.
Then mark the spot you shot from, visualize the shot and look for reference spots, for when you go to look for your arrow.
Leave it alone for at least a half hour before looking for arrow and/or blood.
I believe the #1 reason a wounded elk "gets away" is because it was followed up too soon after shot and spooked.
Of course this has resulted in some pretty intense debates, but I would rather find a dead elk after leaving it lay for a while than watch one get up and run away while looking for an arrow, or following a blood trail.

[RadSav]

If it's good for deer it's good for elk.  Just make sure they are super sharp.  Never a bad idea to change your blades if it's been a while.  Stainless is not rust proof!  They degrade over time.  Makes a big difference especially on late season elk when the hair is thicker and they've fattened up.

[muleyslayer]

Thank you everyone for the help. What is the farthest shot you guys would take at an elk?

[duckmen1]

I shot my first elk with a thunderhead. Hit no bone and had a complete pass through. Found the elk 40 yards from shot. But got a new bow and that broad head I have had trouble tuning to my arrows and had bad groups. So switched to shuttle ts and slick tricks and they fly just like my field points. If it works for you use it. I am a definite slick trick fan after this year though. Shot my deer and elk with them and went through bone on both and the broad heads look good after the shot. Animals went down quick. And they are very sharp. After the shot on the elk and hitting a large bone one blade had some dulling but held together great. They are also dirty from bark in the pic from after the shot.

[RadSav]

Animals went down quick. And they are very sharp.

A couple years ago Slick Trick changed their blade material to AEBL and it's really made a big difference.  Reports are that the founder of Slick Trick just passed away.  Hopefully the good product and blades will continue in years to come.  It's a very good product as long as you limit the angle of entry.


Shot distance is 100% up to the individual user.  Regardless of what the internet experts have to say.  Todays bows have plenty of energy to give you performance at any reasonable range.  But just as good shots over 300 yards with a rifle are few and far between so are shots over 40 with archery.  Good shooters can expect to succeed with a rifle past 300 and good shooters with a bow can expect to succeed with a bow beyond 40.  However, there are a lot of guys out there in both weapon classes that think they are better than they are.  So try to be honest about your true ability and use that as your guide.  Only you can answer that question honestly since you are the only one that knows your true ability. 

I love it when shots are inside 30!  But, I've been known to reach out further when needed.  In the 30 or so elk I've taken with the bow I'd expect the overall average to be just over 30 yards.  The wife's average is probably just a little over that.

[muleyslayer]

I've heard great things about the shuttle t. But my bow has always shot great with the thunderhead. The first deer I shot went through bone and was a complete pass through.  The deer only went 30 yards. But know elk are a lot tougher so I wanted to hear some experiences from fellow hunters thanks. Yea I feel pretty comfortable at 40 but I think I can be comfortable at 50 with some serious practice.

[sakoshooter]

Biggest difference is a lot more meat and better meat.